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Seminar on Accessibility
for All : Statements :
International social
policies and the Internet
Opening remarks to the United
Nations Seminar on "Internet Accessibility for All"
Mr. John Langmore,
Director
Division for Social Policy and
Development
Thursday, 6 May 1999
I would like to thank His Excellency Ambassador Mabilangan of the Republic of
the Philippines for graciously agreeing to open and chair our seminar today. His
Government has made distinguished contributions to the policy dialogue on the
social objectives of development, the question of persons with disabilities in
particular. We shall profit greatly from his great experience and intellect.
Our seminar on Internet accessibility takes as its point of departure General
Assembly resolution 52/82, "Implementation of the World Programme of Action
concerning Disabled Persons; towards a society for all in the twenty-first
century". In that resolution the Assembly identified "accessibility" as the
priority action to further equalisation of opportunities for persons with
disabilities.
The seminar also reflects a key dimension of the reform of the economic and
social sectors of the United Nations Secretariat. Substantive offices of the
Secretariat recently were empowered to decide how they best can upgrade the
skills of their staff so that they are better able to deliver services to the
member States and more effectively and efficiently support implementation of
international norms and standards.
Initially, the Division took a traditional approach to training on a topic
that is characterised by its rapid pace of change: the Internet and its
associated international information policies, structures and technologies. We
organised, with the able assistance of Associates for International
Management Services, a training workshop on Internet accessibility in
mid-December of last year. What was an unexpected consequence of that exchange
was the second and third-round feedback received as a result of our decision to
publish the workshop materials on the Internet - essentially to lower the costs
of distribution to participants and to facilitate periodic updates.
By taking an open approach to discussions and exchanges of substantive
materials on international information policies, structures and technologies, we
have developed an international network of specialists dealing with various
aspects of Internet accessibility and universal design. We also have stimuated a
dialogue on issues and strategies to promote localisation of planning, design
and management of accessible Internet-based services.
We thus are contributing to implementation of the "accessibility" priority of
Assembly resolution 52/82.
As a programme manager, I would like to place this exercise in the context of
the work of the Organisation and our responsibilities to support the policy
dialogue in the social field - particularly as this includes preparations for
the Special Session of the General Assembly in the year 2000 to review progress
in implementing the outcomes of the World Summit for Social Development.
Our efforts to promote awareness and substantive understanding of Internet
accessibility are based upon policy guidance of member States, and the priority
that they attach to accessibility as a key factor in the design of policies and
programmes, particularly as this pertains to new information technologies.
The Internet is increasingly recognised as an important vehicle for enriching
the policy dialogue and promoting practical action.
It is possible to identify three main tasks for substantive offices in
support of international policy processes. First, there is the task of
substantive support to policy dialogue of intergovernmental bodies. This
includes preparation of global analyses of issues and trends and formulation of
policy options that may be adopted as international norms, standards and
instruments on transnational activities and behaviour. In the field of
disability, there are the "United Nations Standard Rules on Equalization of
Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities" adopted by the forty-eighth session
of the General Assembly as resolution 48/96, annex.
Second, substantive offices report periodically on progress and obstacles in
implementation of international instruments by States and the involvement of
civil society. These reports may contribute, by virtue of their critical
analyses of issues and trends, to enhanced awareness, use and acceptance of
international norms and standards.
Third, substantive offices may assist Governments on request to build
national capacities and establish and develop national institutions to design,
implement and evaluate specific programmes and measures to further implement
agreed instruments.
Each of these tasks is dependent on current and reliable information and
represents unique value-added services that the Organisation provides to the
member States.
The experience of the Division suggests that accessible solutions should be a
given in any design solution or policy option formulated. In many settings,
however, accessibility still is considered to be a luxury, an issue to be
addressed at some "later date" when funds permit. The data available suggest
that putting accessibility at the core of any design solution will result - over
the life cycle - in least-costly and sustainable approaches. It also will
deliver added benefits by facilitating new and expanded opportunities for full,
effective and informed participation by all in social life and development.
Thank you.
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